When I told you the "Pocket Full of Posies" denim pocket banner was versatile...
I meant it.
By simply adding a splash of red and white to the denim pocket banner...
We're now ready to celebrate every patriotic holiday we have coming up...
and this could even be used at Christmas and Valentine's Day too!! LOVE!!!

Here's how to do it.
First, reference Part I of the "Denim Pocket Banner" tutorial right here.
Second, gather your supplies:

SUPPLIES NEEDED:
• Pre-made Denim Pocket Banner (already strung together)
• Red Fabric (or ribbon of your choice - amount is dependent on the amount of pockets on your banner)
• White Fabric (or ribbon of your choice - amount is dependent on the amount of pockets on your banner)
• These Fiskars tools for cutting fabrics easily (or just your favorite sharp scissors)
• Scissors (for trimming the ends of the fabric after they are tied to your banner)

STEP ONE: Cut your fabric. (or ribbon)
Cut your fabrics into strips that are 1 inch wide and about 8 inches long.
The number of strips needed will be determined by the number of pockets you are using for your banner.
Count the number of pockets, add one to that number and you've got your total.
I used ten pockets therefore I needed 11 strips of both fabrics.

STEP TWO: Pick ONE fabric color - either the red or white- and cut the existing strips in half. 

By cutting one of the piles of strips in half, you will actually create a surplus for yourself to store away for use on a future project of your choice. (Keep reading to see how this works)

STEP THREE: Creative tying

You'll be tying the fabric strips at both ends of the banner and in between each pocket.
Place the longer strip of fabric, (right side facing down), underneath the twine.

Lay the smaller strip of fabric, (right side facing up), on top of the twine - creating an "x" with the two strips of fabric.

Working with the longer strip of fabric, grab both ends and creat a knot. (Like the first step in tying your shoes).

A 2nd knot is not needed and will make changing out the fabrics much easier for your next celebration/holiday.

STEP FOUR: Trim 

For a more finished look, I used scissors to add an angle to each of the ends of the tied strips of fabric.

Notice how even though both strips of fabric started off at different lengths, they ended up just about the same size.

TIP: Use the technique above for all of your ribbon tying projects. 

You'll thank me for saving you tons of money because of  all of the extra ribbon, string or fabric you end up with.

Now...
Who's ready for Memorial Day?
And why bother taking it down when you are already set for 4th of July too!!
I LOVE when holiday decor items effortlessly and conveniently flow into the next celebration.

KEEPiNG iT REAL

If you don't have a sharp blade on your rotary cutter...

Your fabric strips will end up looking like this...

You THiNK you cut nice clean strips of fabric...

but when you go to pull them apart...

...they are partially stuck together because my wimpy blade never cut completely through.

Good thing I have another one as back up...

Note to self...
pick up some fresh blades.

TEACH | All-Occasion Denim Pocket Banner (Part I)

Remember the adorable Denim Pocket Banner I created for Ella's Pocket Full of Posies 3rd Birthday?
Well...
If you're like me and happen to love creating clever party decor for events that are
smart...
budget-friendly...
and versatile enough to continue to be used after the confetti and cupcakes are all gone...
then keep reading...

The tutorial I created to demonstrate how to make this Denim Pocket Banner...
was posted earlier this week on Hostess with the Mostess.

But if you happened to miss it...

You're in luck...

I'm posting it here as well to set you up for Part II...
a tutorial in which I share how easy it is to alter the look of the banner to suite any occasion.
So let's get going...

All-Occasion Denim Pocket Banner Tutorial (Part I)
Makes 1 Banner

SUPPLIES:
– Recycled toddler jean back pockets (or a larger size, depending on your particular event and how you intend on displaying/using the finished banner)

– Twine, ribbon or string of your choice (for threading the pockets together & displaying the finished banner).

– Crop-A-Dile II Tool (for easily punching holes through denim)

OR you can use a Leather Awl or other sharp object for piercing.

TIP: I went to my local thrift store to find some toddler jeans for this project. I wanted the finished banner to have a vintage feel to it, therefore, I paid close attention to the finish of the jeans as well as to the overall style of the back pockets when I selected the 8 pairs I purchased. (Scored them all for a grand total of under $2.00!)

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut out the pockets. 

After cutting out the number of jean pockets you think you’ll need for your particular use...

you are ready to prep them for assembly.

TIP: You can use a really good pair of sharp scissors to cut out the entire denim pocket or you can use my preferred method of cutting fabrics using a rotary cutting tool, self-healing cutting mat and an acrylic ruler. (No. I don’t sew. At all. But I have had these Fiskars tools  for years and they make cutting fabrics a cinch).

2. Punch a hole into the upper corners of each denim pocket. 

I chose to place my holes just below the intersection of stitching on both sides of the pocket.

3. Assemble the banner. 

Once all of the pockets have been pierced/punched it’s time to string them all together.

Lay the pockets out in front of you to determine the order you’d like for them to be displayed, making sure to distance matching pockets away from one another. Measure your twine, (or other source of string), by using the length of the pockets you’ve just spread out in front of you. Be sure to add plenty of string to the length to account for hanging the banner once it’s finished. (Better to have too much string than not enough).

Starting with the first hole, push the twine down through the hole – feeding it from the front of the pocket and coming out the backside. Pull the string up through the second hole. Repeat with remaining pockets.

4. Hang the banner.  Tie both ends of the banner to a sturdy object. You may trim any excess twine or leave it hanging – depending on your preference for the finished look.

You may create several layers of Denim Pocket Banners like I did for the backdrop for this dessert table or use one long one for a specific focal point. This versatile banner can be be incorporated into a wide range of party themes including Americana, Rustic, Picnic, Fall, Summer, Western and more.

OTHER CREATIVE USES:

• Countdown Calendar: for the Holidays

• Birthday Banner: attach wording with mini clothespins to each pocket to spell out a name or sentiment)

• Grab N’ Go Party Favor holder: Have little ones reach in and pull out their favors as a cute, interactive send off. (banner would need to be mounted to a wall or other flat structure so as to provide support and keep the pockets from shifting with the weight of the items added)

• Mantle Display: Hang on your mantle and add different ribbons, fabrics or objects in or on the pockets to correspond with rotating holidays.

• Wall Art: Hang in a child’s room/nursery.

• Organizer: Provides a fun place for your little ones to put away art supplies or other small treasures.

• Wedding Decor: This inexpensive banner could be used in a variety of ways at a wedding. (A unique seating card display, wrapped around tree trunks of a picnic-style wedding or even hung from the backs of chairs).

Now...

I'll be back with Part II of this tutorial - so stay tuned!

VENDOR CREDITS:
Photography: Pen N' Paperflowers
Paper Maché Flowers: Maisey's Daiseys

KEEPiNG iT REAL

You've no idea how happy I get making simple little projects like this.

And as ridiculous as it sounds...

really pay attention to the back pockets you choose to use..

there are some UGLY ones out there that just wouldn't look as cute! *wink*

On another note...
I completely embarrassed myself at the gym yesterday.
I showed up to workout with a personal trainer for the first time...
I'd only eaten an apple (thinking I'd better not eat a lot otherwise I might get sick if he works me too hard).
BiG MiSTAKE!!
I ended up having a really low blood sugar episode after the strenuous exercise.
I tried to leave the gym and just hurry and get home to eat something because I was starting to tremble...
but I realized I couldn't drive.
Had to go back in the gym...
I guess I looked rough when I walked back inside...
the next thing I know I was drinking free gatorade...
Someone was taking my pulse...
The nutritionist came over to talk to me about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast...
They called J...
who called my mom...
who came and bought me a sandwich...
and in about 20-25 minutes of regaining my composure...
I was able to drive home with Ella.
EMBARRASSiNG!!!

Good news?
I'm REALLY sore today.
Which means I probably won't be able to move tomorrow...
which means the workout was productive...
Even if I had to pay the price afterwards...*blushing*

Now...
How do I show my face at the gym again?
I guess I could just walk through the doors and pretend like nothing ever happened! *grin*